Work in a business environment-A personal statement-NVQ Business and Administration

Updated on April 18, 2013

Purpose and benefits of respecting and supporting other people at work:

Belonging to a team, is a result of feeling part of something larger than you. It is very important to understand the mission and objectives of the organisation. In a team-oriented environment, I also contribute to the overall success of the organization by working with my fellow members. I might have a specific job function and belong to a specific department, but still I am one among the other people in the organisation, and I will be contributing to the overall objectives and success of the organisation..

To work as part of the team or within an organisation, I need to learn to respect other people at work and support other people at work too. I need to know what the organisation does, and what the structure of the organisation is, why each team and departments were built and what they do, and how they contribute. Every team and individuals need to understand where their work fits in the total context of an organisation.

When team effort is put in, an organization can flourish, because work will be completed on time, and according to the budget, rather than individuals sitting alone to complete a task. So in order to build good team work, the members in the team have to communicate with each other and support each other. This also helps everyone develop as a good individual, and teaches us to share work goals and plan objectives. When working as a team, we can identify each others weaknesses and strengths. This leads to giving and receiving feedback to improve one’s work.

I work in a diverse work environment, and I come across different individuals with different personalities and from different cultures. As an organisation and as a team I have to respect and value every individual, regardless of race, customs, belief, appearance, etc. When diverse people work together, they bring in various skills and talents and experiences together. This helps the team and organisation to perform to the best of their ability.

Before judging anyone, I have to step into their shoes, so that I clearly understand how that person feels. That way I will look at things from that person’s point of view. I always think about how I would feel if I was in that person’s situation. I need to respect their needs, their cultural values and racial differences when sorting out any disagreements. That way I make the person feel important, and show to them that I care and I am there to support them in every way I can. I make them feel valued by listening to them and supporting their likes and interests and value their needs and respect confidentiality of information where the situation requires.

I also learn a lot from people when I work in a diverse environment. I request observation and guidance when I need support. I also understand the importance of building relationships at work with colleagues and superiors and use other people as a source of inspiration.

Maintaining Security and confidentiality at work and dealing with concerns:

Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Information security is concerned with the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data regardless of whether the data is in electronic, print, or other forms.

Confidentiality is very important for various reasons. Data relating to recruitment and management of employees is automatically sensitive. Apart from this in my organisation, we deal with huge amount of confidential data for our clients. They are all stored in cabinets and organisations servers. If data goes into the wrong hands, this information could be misused to commit fraud, discrimination, and other violations.

Every organisation should be careful about how they handle and respect data that passes through their hands.

The following are the legal requirements and best practice:

• Data Protection Act 1998 (designed to safeguard the collection, holding and use of personal data.)

• Human Rights Act 1998

• Common Law of Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the duty of everyone. Staff should always feel free to discuss with their seniors or managers what this means on a daily basis in their handling of any material. Also all employees need to know what the rules are for whatever industry they are in, know the process at work place for dealing with suspected risks and violations.

When working for an organisation or a business or any work environment, it is very important to follow safety, security and legal procedures. Every organisation has its own confidential information and care has to be taken to protect these documents from the public, else it will lead to disastrous effects. The property has to be secured with locks that can be opened by only authorised personnel. In our organisation, we have secure locks that can be opened only by the employees of the organisation using their swipe card. The rooms of managers are secured with number locks. All confidential information and files are secured in cabinets that are only accessible by the employees.

The main door to entry to offices is all secured with locks that can be opened by swiping the card. Also when running the organisation, all employees follow all the legal requirements abiding by the law. It relates to how confidential information is used, data protection acts for customers etc. Also contracts are signed for any services that are provided and sought, which states all the legal necessities and the outcomes if it is broken.

Employees working in the organisation are expected to carry their personal identity card, which details their name, position and organisation name along with their photograph. Also all employees should make sure that unidentified, unauthorised or non-employees do not enter the building without a reason. Any visitors entering the building have to sign in the register at reception, and sign out when they leave the premises. A record of all the assets like office equipments, furniture and any items of the organisation are maintained in every office. The make and model are noted too. Every equipment is provided with unique codes which are put on the equipments along with the organisation’s name and telephone number. All items that are not in use or confidential and other items are locked away securely, e.g., laptops etc.

Any items that are borrowed by employees like laptops or projectors etc are signed for on borrowing and returning. Also all the employees’ valuables have to be locked away securely all the time. Care has to be taken to avoid after hours theft in the office. So always make sure that all valuables and confidential information are locked up securely. Any items that are missing or you think have gone missing have to be reported to the office manager. Also you have to report theft and any suspicious activities to the police and take legal actions to do the needful.

Confidential paperwork should not be just disposed off. They have to be shredded before disposal.

When it comes to confidentiality and security regarding my job and files that I deal with, I take utmost care in handling situations and documents. I lock away all confidential information and documents relating to employees and clients in a locked cabinet. Also confidential files that are saved in the hard drive are password protected, so that anyone that has access to the shared drive does not open the documents. This was a result of an issue that I came across last year. The _________________ (removed for confidentiality purposes) are saved in the shared drive, to which other colleagues have access to. I was not saving them in “My Documents” folder which is personal, as my manager needed access to those files too. I found that a co-worker had tried to open the documents from the folder where all the _____________(removed for confidentiality purposes) were saved. I had a discussion with my manager following this incident about what has happened, how it affected the organisation, confidentiality of other employees details and explained to her how that would affect all the other team members too. My manager then asked about what could be done, I suggested that we password protected all the files that were confidential. Ever since then all confidential files irrespective of where they are saved have been password protected and password supplied to only the concerned person who has permission to open the files.

In the office, we always deal with printers and fax machines and files that need recycling. Empty toner cartridges and fax ribbons can cause hazardous effects due to chemicals present in them. It concerns health and safety issues. So they are put into the area where hazardous waste materials are left for disposal and the collection company collects them every month. Also all the boxes and covers in which the toners and cartridges arrive, the stationeries arrive are all disposed off in their respective skips, so as to avoid health and safety issues.

I also make sure that all the equipments like printer, fax machine, and computers are in good working condition. If there are any IT issues, I log a call with the IT service desk, and chase up on any delays quoting the case reference number.

P.S: On a kind note, please do not copy anything submitted here and display them in your file. This has been published here, purely to help you gain an idea / understanding of what they expect you to write and how you have to write. You will have to relate to your own work area and organisation and stick with it while preparing the files. Thank you for your co-operation.

This particular answer below has been added here, as there were requests from two candidates. This is in no way related to the personal statement above.

Source

Describe ways of reporting data so that

a) It meets agreed aims and objectives

b) Is accurate and free from bias

Data is a group of information that are used for various purposes like analysis, evaluations and to arrive at certain results or conclusions. Data reporting is a process where data are extracted form a source or many sources and then converted into a format that can be used for a purpose. It is usually presented in the form of a report in tables or charts or statistics or graphs or on spread sheets etc. These data may be used to arrive at important decisions within the organisation or with external organisations. So the data report has to be produced in such a way that it meets the aims and objectives of the requirement and also has to be accurate and free from bias as data quality is very important.

The ways of reporting data, so that it meets the agreed aims and objectives are:

Always make sure that the data you collect serves the purpose of the report you are going to prepare.

Check to see that the report is in the agreed style and format and that it can be easily understood by the people involved.

Check to see if the requirement is for a detailed report or a summarised one and prepare the report accordingly.

Keep the language as simple as possible if the report is to be distributed to a wide range of audience, again this depends on the purpose of the report and what you are trying to achieve or report.

Check that the report has an agreed/acceptable structure and that the contents comply with the organisation’s aims and objectives. In short it has to have a logical structure, with clear ideas and be well organised

Arrange data clearly and neatly in different sections with notes or explanations wherever necessary.

It is best not to name or label people in the report.

The conclusion part has to be clear with the results of your research or analysis.

Include recommendations if any.

It is always good to summarise at the start as to what the report is about, its purpose and what is discussed. You can also include the reason why this report has been created. You can mention any limitations if any and suggest areas of improvement.

The ways of reporting data, so that it is accurate and free from bias are:

Never make any assumptions on data or conclusions as this can pose a threat to the functioning of the organisation.

Check for grammar, spelling and accuracy of figures involved as these reports represent the quality of the organisation. If there are any calculations involved, double check them to see if there are any errors. It is always best to run this through another person or two for a review, to avoid any literary or numerical errors.

Do not have any repetitive or irrelevant information

You need to be very specific on your report, using accurate, clear words and figures so that your report is free from bias.

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Comments 15 comments

livingsta 11 months ago from United Kingdom Author

Hello Lilly, sorry for not responding earlier. Did you manage to complete the above questions? If you still need help, please drop a line. All the best! :)

livingsta 11 months ago from United Kingdom Author

Hello lyoness913, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. What you say is so true!

I struggled a bit when I was myself doing this qualification. All I needed was for someone to give me an idea of what was expected and sometimes I even was in a situation where I did not have a clue as to what to write. It did take hours and sometimes days to get my head around some questions. I thought this would help so many people out there for reference. They will get an idea of how to respond to their questions.

Thank you so much for the appreciation. Hope you are well. Have an awesome 2016! :)

lyoness913 18 months ago from Overland Park, KS

Voted up and useful- looks like you really helped some people with this hub. There is no better feeling! Good work :)

Lilly 21 months ago

Hi I am stuck on a simular question for CU699 Business & Administration NVQ Level 3.

Describe different ways of reporting data?

Please can you help?

livingsta 2 years ago from United Kingdom Author

Hello Shanric,

You're welcome. I'm glad this was of help. All the best :)

Shanric 3 years ago

Such useful information! Thank you very much (:

livingsta 3 years ago from United Kingdom Author

Hi Carol, thank you for stopping by and all the best :-)

carol 3 years ago

i am doing level 4 unit 403 support the purpose and values of an organisation

livingsta 3 years ago from United Kingdom Author

You're welcome Sarah! All the best!

Sarah 3 years ago

Brilliant, thank you very much for your help!!

livingsta 3 years ago from United Kingdom Author

Hi Richie, please see above if you still need help with your query. I have added the answer right below the personal statement. Hope this helps. All the best!

livingsta 3 years ago from United Kingdom Author

Hi Sarah, I have added the answer here for you. Please see above, right at the bottom of the personal statement. Hope this is helpful. All the best!

Sarah 3 years ago

Hi I am stuck on the same questions, would you be able to help me?

Many Thanks

livingsta 4 years ago from United Kingdom Author

Hi Richie, I am more than happy to help. Could you please contact me on my email address, so I can send you the necessary info!

Richie 4 years ago

Hi, could you help me out on this one? Its from BA Level 3, Unit 318 Analyse & Report Data. 2.1 - Describe ways of reporting data so that it a) meets agreed aims and objectives